Gary Lineker reveals his feelings towards former Man United manager Sir Alex Ferguson while speaking on the Rest is Football podcast.
Gary Lineker has sent a clear message to Manchester United icon Sir Alex Ferguson (Image: The Rest Is Football Podcast)
Gary Lineker has admitted he had several falling outs with legendary Sir Alex Ferguson during his time at Manchester United, but says he intends to help his former manager achieve huge success in the modern game. Mr Lineker said the rift occurred while he was on the BBC, but he has great respect for the success Mr Ferguson has achieved throughout his career.
The comments came after a fan contacted The Rest Is Football and asked the podcast trio whether Ferguson’s management style still works for today’s generation of players. The former Man United manager is regarded as one of the greatest managers of all time, winning 38 trophies.
In response to a question, former Newcastle United striker Alan Shearer said: “Good question. I think he will adapt because just like the great players of the 70s, 80s and 90s, he will still find his way to becoming a great manager.”
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“Anyway, he’s gone through different eras and still managed to be great and he’s managed to adapt. But I definitely think he has to change. I don’t know if he can still be as fear-ridden as he was then. But he’s definitely the best manager to adapt.”
“Yes, I would have to agree,” Micah Richards said. “Come on, Fergie. People don’t realize how many top players he had to fight. Imagine having to fight all those guys. A little tough love is good too.”
“Some of the players we have now are a little softer, so given what he’s been doing in the game, he’ll definitely adapt.”
Gary Lineker reveals his feelings towards Sir Alex Ferguson (Image: Rest is Football/YouTube)
“1,500 games, 895 wins, 38 trophies, 13 Premier League titles and two Champions League titles,” Lineker said. “I think he might be able to adapt a little bit to the modern game.
“38 trophies. Unbelievable. Also, as you rightly said, Alan, he’s done it in different eras. He’s probably been with three different teams in that period and was never afraid to let players go.”
“He also sold Beckham, Keane, Stam, Ruud van Nistelrooy and many other players. So as a man he was tough, demanding, uncompromising and demanding of his players.”
“I still think it’s probably necessary to some extent. I think some of the antics I’ve heard probably wouldn’t be acceptable in the modern game, but as you so rightly said, they’ll adapt a little bit.”
“A leader is a leader. I’ve fought with him a few times when I was at the BBC and I’ve always had a lot of respect for his success. That’ll be interesting. Hypothetically, if you’re that good, you must be that good, right?”
Richards asked. “But a lot of ex-pros say, if he liked you, he was great. A lot of people talk about the modern game now, they say, could he adapt tactically? But look at what (Zinedine) Zidane did.
“He’s not known as a great tactician, but he’s won three Champions Leagues in a row. So is[Carlo]Ancelotti. It’s exactly the same thing. He’s not known as a tactician, but he’s won the Champions League and has proven what he’s achieved so far with Real Madrid. Yes, he[Ferguson]will be successful.”
